Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

King Richard speaks with his favorite courtiers. Aumerle enters and Richard asks him about Bolingbroke's departure because Aumerle rode with him part of the way. He claims neither of them shed any tears at parting, but Bolingbroke wished Aumerle farewell, and Aumerle pretended to be overcome with grief.

Richard talks about how Bolingbroke 'courts' the common people. He lowers himself to smiling and waving at them, even greeting them—all things beneath a nobleman, and far beneath Richard, who would never do such things. He believes Bolingbroke is dangerous for being so popular with the common people.

Richard and his courtiers then talk about the rebels in Ireland. Richard decides he will go to Ireland himself to oversee the war. However, he needs more money to fund it, and so, plans to sell the right of collecting taxes to whichever courtier...